Tag Archives: Alcohol abuse

I am happy to learn you have been so far favored by the divine spirit as to be made sensible of those things which are for your good & that of your people, & of those which are hurtful to you: & particularly that you & they see the ruinous effects which the abuse of spirituous liquors have produced upon them … Spirituous liquors are not in themselves bad … it is the improper & intemperate use of them, by those in health, which makes them injurious. but as you find that your people cannot refrain from an ill use of them, I greatly applaud your resolution not to use them at all …To Handsome Lake, November 3, 1802

Patrick Lee’s ExplanationWise leaders applaud the wise choices of other leaders.
Lake was a spiritual leader among the Seneca Indians of New York. After a lifetime of abusing alcohol, he had been delivered of that curse and now actively promoted wellness among his people. That included a campaign against all alcohol use.

Jefferson, who loved wine but drank no hard liquor, appreciated Lake’s efforts. He distinguished between the use of alcohol for social enjoyment or medicinal purposes, a common practice, and alcohol abuse by healthy people. Since Lake’s people could not refrain from abusing alcohol, Jefferson applauded the leader’s choice to have it banned completely.

These people are becoming very sensible of the baneful effects produced on their morals, their health & existence by the abuse of ardent spirits: and some of them earnestly desire a prohibition of that article from being carried among them. the legislature will consider whether the effectuating that desire would not be in the spirit of benevolence & liberality which they have hitherto practised towards these our neighbors, and which has had so happy an effect towards conciliating their friendship.To the Senate and House of Representatives, January 27, 1802

Patrick Lee’s Explanation Benevolent leaders are sensitive to the concerns of the less powerful.
In this report, the President recommended a number of actions on behalf of the Indians. Here he asks Congress to extend the “benevolence & liberality” already demonstrated toward the tribes and prohibit the sale of alcohol among them. Natives themselves recognized that liquor harmed “their morals, their health & existence.” A month later, Congress granted the President the authority to limit or prevent its sale.

In another part of this report, Jefferson suggested changing capital punishment from hanging to firing squad. Indians found hanging so repugnant they were reluctant to turn accused persons over for trial.

“I have been very privileged to see Mr. Boone and Mr. Clark … I can’t wait to hear Mr. Jefferson.”Vice-President, Site Development Engineering, St. Louis